From world champions Spain, who travel thousands of miles to play in Panama, to Germany who just cross over the border to face Holland, top players have either been ‘rested’ or been hooked by their clubs.

Robin van Persie has withdrawn from the Holland squad with a thigh injury — despite playing all of Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Wenger said: “There are a lot of politics behind these games because when you see some teams travelling during that period, you think it is more to pay back some corporation rather than preparing a team for the next official game.

“The friendlies in November, how they can prepare you for a game in February?

“I believe the friendly games are there as well to help some federations to raise money.”